I'm writing this second-to-last post for our Virgin Voyage blog while on the airplane flying from St. Thomas to Atlanta. We have very bittersweet feelings about the conclusion of our first sailing adventure.
Last night we had to pack up our belongings and clean the inside of the boat to prepare for our final sail back to "Journey's End's" home in Red Hook Harbor. While in the process of packing, I realized that we had spent more time aboard this boat than we had any other place except for the homes we've lived in - 11 nights spent in a space 37 feet long by 13 feet wide. And we absolutely LOVED it!
Once we got used to the space, there was plenty of room for both of us. We spent mornings drinking coffee in the cockpit. Our triangular bed was far more comfortable than we expected, despite the fact that Jon's feet hung over the end. I discovered the convenience and joy of using the outside shower after using the one in the head for a few days. And we spent the later parts of the evening sitting on the back transom dangling our feet in the water while looking up at the stars. It was truly magical.
And this morning, as we sailed into Red Hook in a squall with boat traffic coming from all directions, I finally experienced the exhilaration of being at the helm in adverse conditions without feeling nervous. Well, actually I was a bit nervous at first. But it gave way to excitement when I felt the power of "Journey's End" and knew that she could take care of us.
While we still have a long way to go before we can call ourselves "real" sailors, we are no longer wet-behind-the-ears. We learned a tremendous amount on our travels aboard "Journey's End." Putting all of our training into practice has given me more confidence in my abilities. And it's given me a much greater appreciation for the calm, steady nature of Jon. He is a rock. I guess that makes me the hard place.
FYI - stay tuned for photos coming this weekend...
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